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It's been several days since Tim was taken to the Batcave. Oracle has been in touch with Alfred multiple times over that period to check in on Tims progress, she's been incredibly worried, not to mention stressed by the fact she can't offer updates to those who will, she suspects, soon be asking about his well being.

Finally, Alfred has indicated that Tim can receive visitors but warns the young man is still groggy. As far as Babs is concerned, that's a good thing… Tim won't be ready to run again soon and maybe, just maybe, she and the other Batfamily members can get him the help he needs.

Arriving at Wayne Manor, Babs rings the doorbell and waits for it to be answered. She's got a bouquet of flowers, a big bag of chocolates and a gift wrapped present with her.

***

The door is answered by a familiar older fellow. There's a kindly gleam in the aging butler's eyes as he opens the door. "Welcome, Miss Gordon." He steps into the house, granting room for the red head to pass him before he closes the door. "Master Timothy is resting," although from the uptake of Alfred's eyebrows the rest may not be quite as restful as some might hope.

The winding path towards the Batcave is quick enough, and one that Babs has certainly followed before.

When she arrives, Babs will find Tim sitting up in bed surrounded by books. Each of them is opened, and a notepad full of scribbles rests on his lap. The calculus equations are reviewed time and again as the dark haired team derives formulas one at a time.

"Because he is writing exams next week," Tim counters having evidently heard the butler's thoughts. Groggy or not, Tim has life to get back to, and is bound and determined to do so. In the interim, however, he has been confined to the med bay, and doesn't seem to be objecting much.

He finally looks up from the scratchpad, and tires to shoot the redhead his usual lopsided grin, but it cracks. There's an unusual sadness to his expression, but he manages to keep his tone light enough, "Hey Babs."

***

Babs smiles at Alfred as he opens the door, nods and follows him through the manor to the Batcave in silence. A quirked eyebrow at the books across the bed and Alfreds words, Babs is silent still, time to discuss that later but she may have some ideas. At the sad smile, Babs moves closer to the bed… "How about you clear those away while I visit", she says quietly and indicating the bounty she carries "I come bearing gifts this time."

***

Between Babs' suggestion and Alfred's gaze, Tim sighs and then concedes. Carefully he plucks each of the texts, piling them for a moment before realizing that there's no way he can delicately lower them to the floor together let alone lift them all at once. With some resignation, he tosses each on the floor beside him and then apologize, "Uh. Sorry for the mess." He shrugs. There's still work to be done.

The smile finds some of its usual warmth as school is quite literally cast aside for a few beats. Tim rubs the back of his head and he hrms quietly. "So…" There's no question that he has seen better days. Although most of that remains tucked underneath the blanket overtop him. He presses his palms to the bed's surface and shifts his body slightly, stretching a stitch. His tongue rolls over his lips and he scrubs his hand over his face. "…how about them local sports team?"

***

Ignoring the mess of the books on the floor, Babs watches Tim. "No idea, Tim, but here… The bouquet and chocolates are from Vorpal, he asked that I deliver them to you. The gift… is from me." The flowers and chocolates are placed on the bedside table and the gift handed over. Then the redhead leans over herself and hugs the young teen. "You're still not looking great, but you look better than when I last saw you" she murmurs. "Open your gift."

***

Evidently awkwardness abounds. Tim runs a nervous hand through his hair and shoots Babs a brilliant flash of teeth. "Send him my thanks? Not sure how easy — " he shrugs. "Heard the Robin," he nearly chokes around the word, "suit has seen better days. So. Thanking anyone for a bit could be… complicated." His eyebrows draw together sharply as he looks at the flowers and chocolates. There's a shyness in his gaze as he directs his attention to the wrapped gift and tears into the wrapping paper. The opening of the gift may be as enjoyable as whatever's inside.

***

There's a few things in the gift. A handheld gaming device and a few games… and a rather lovely looking leatherbound A5 journal and a pen. Although leatherbound, the journal is ideally suited to a teen… if the teen likes to write.

Babs watches as Tim opens the gift "I don't know if you have any of those games but I figured you would have some time on your hands. I want you to not work so hard and just enjoy being 19… so play away. The journal and pen…. I sometimes finds it helps, when things always seem to be going wrong, to write down at least one good thing that happens each day."

Babs pauses as she watches the young man in front of her "Sometimes it might just be the 'Sun was out today', sometimes it's more. I'd like you to try it… and then at the end of each week, look at all the good things that have happened… it helps to balance all the bad we see." she says quietly.

***

Silence fills the room as Tim regards the gift. His fingers trail over the leather of the journal and his jaw sets tighter. There's a shyness in his gaze and gentleness in his touch. Fingertips brush against the leather once more and he sighs softly. The game system is met with a faint cant of the Boy Wonder's head and a one shouldered shrug. After a few beats, rather quietly, he whispers, "Thank you."

A few more beats pass and he looks up from the journal. "I'm okay, you know," he offers. "I am. I…" his eyebrows draw together. "I'm okay." The reassurances aren't as convincing as he intends, but then he is trying.

***

Babs shrugs back "It's hard to know what to get the man who can have anything he wants" she says' lightly but she's noted his response. "If you have the games we can exchange them…"

Tilting her head, she regards him closely "Well I'm not o.k. I watched that entire fight, I saw what happened and then I had an argument with Nightwing and Bobby Drake because I was so worried about you." She falls silent, hands folded in front of her.

***

"N-no," Tim holds up a hand and then lowers it. His defences fail him. "I mean," once more his eyebrows draw together and his chin drops. "I don't have them… thank you." His cheeks flush a pale pink. He's not particularly good at playing invalid or patient for that matter. "Uh."

Silently he stares at his laps for several beats. "I. Didn't know. The blade. The gun…" he sniffs and then his head shakes. "I didn't know." His throat clears. "I'm sorry."

***

Babs smiles slightly "And how would you have known? You were out to it. We were very lucky though, that May was available and had the sense to take you somewhere independant. We were more lucky that it was Bobby Drake on the ground… he really went to bat for us there…" Holding her hand out to the teen, Babs says softly "You don't need to be sorry, but we do need to talk about why it happened…"

***

The hand held out is simply responded to with a squeeze in turn. "Yeah," Tim says, "Drake is a pretty good guy. Even if he won't leave the whole clown-lover thing alone." The Boy Wonder pinches the bridge of his nose. "It happened because I was under prepared. I… " he hmmms quietly. "Look. The Joker. He… he wasn't wrong. I don't know why I'm doing this anymore." He emits a soft sigh.

***

"Mmmm, well Oracle might have a bridge to mend with Bobby, we'll see." Babs is quiet as the young man in front of her speaks, she has no need to move and her hand remains where it is. "Go on, The Joker said a lot of things Tim" she prompts softly.

***

Tim rubs his chin with his palm and shakes his head. "I'm sorry. I…" his lips edge down into a frown. "You know how I got into this right? I mean. Jason had died. Batman needed Robin, I'd figured out who they were." He taps his temple, "Logic. So I sought out Dick and tried to convince him and instead Alfred and Dick convinced Bruce to make me Robin." His lips purse lightly. "I wasn't looking to get involved. I was trying to keep Batman sane." He rakes his fingers through his hair, "But maybe he never was. Maybe I'm not… maybe the Joker is right and we're all cut out of the same cloth."

***

The redhead listens, not saying a word. She knows how he became Robin. "OK, you were trying to keep Batman sane… what cloth do you think you're cut from?" Babs leans back, keeping her face as impassive as possible…

***

With a quiet sigh, Tim turns his head to the right, "I dunno." He does know. "Maybe none of us were very sane in the first place?" His blue eyes squint as he finally turns back to look at her. "Two sides of the same coin. Joker, Batman, Nightwing… me…." the you is implied. He chews his bottom lip. "Maybe we're all the same in the end." His eyes drift toward Alfred with a note of apology. "Sorry. Maybe our sanity has always been in question."

***

Babs shrugs "He can question my sanity, Tim, he shot me in the back and left me for dead. Maybe doing what I do, keeps me sane…. " Glancing over at Alfred, Babs smiles brightly "Could we get some tea please, Alfred? It might help to make this conversation a little easier" Tea for Babs solves many of the worlds ills. "Is it you don't think you're sane Tim or that you'll end up like The Joker?"

***

Babs' request for tea is met with a tight-lipped smile and faint nod, "Of course Miss Gordon." Alfred disappears back through the maze of halls.

Tim once again scratches the back of his neck. "Uh," his lips twist to the side thoughtfully and he hmmms. "Bit of both, I guess." He lowers his voice, "Is Bruce sane?" it's not something he'd ever allowed himself to think about before. "I mean. Everyone's got their reasons, right? You got shot. Bruce and Dick lost their parents. But when I started, I didn't have any of that… I had both mom and dad. Mom died just before I officially became Robin. Dad died because I was," not am, "Robin."

***

Babs offers Alfred a big smile as he leaves. "You became involved because you wanted to help. So did I, remember I was once Batgirl… before the shooting. I got involved because I wanted to help. Reasons are reasons." she sighs a little "Maybe being not quite sane is a benefit but we have each other to look out for, we're a team." Fixing Tim with a green stare, Babs asks "Sooooo…. exams next week, and I might have a suggestion for you there… then what?"

***

Tim groans at the question. "School. Work. Life. Repeat." Nothing about Robin in there. "I dunno. Physical therapy. Normal therapy?" He arches a wry eyebrow and then shrugs. "I…" he sighs softly. "I don't even know who I'm helping anymore." And there it is. "I'm kind of a means to an end." He heaves out a sigh. "An eternal message boy. And not even a kid anymore.. despite what everyone thinks."

***

Babs watches for Alfreds return as she listens to Tim. "I don't think you're a kid at all, Tim." there's a touch of iron in her tone "Let's take it one step at a time hmmmm? Get your exams over and get you back physically. Then… look at what comes next…. you don't have to make any decisions today and I'm certain that Alfred will keep you here for as long as is needed. So for now, Life… then maybe next week" she holds up a hand "Life… School, in that order. and then later… the rest."

***

"I don't… think I should stay," comes Tim's thoughts. "I know I'm a son and blah blah blah, but I don't — " his cheeks flush again and his head shakes. "So much has happened. I don't…" his cheeks puff out irritably. "What am I doing? I'm genuinely asking…"

***

Babs looks distressed at Tims response. She glances around for Alfred. "You need more rest, I shouldn't have asked… " blowing out a long breath "Stay until you're healed and I think you should rest now… You don't have to make any decision right now."

***

Once more Tim groans. "Babs. I'm not.. I'm not thinking of running to the streets or anything. I'm just." His chin drops. "Everything the Joker said is right. I've never had what it takes. I don't know why I'm doing what I'm doing aside from some misplaced loyalty — I'm adopted, but," his throat clears. "My last name may be Wayne, but every time I look in the mirror I know I'm out of my element. Espeically lately. I…" he sighs.

***

"I'm just worried Tim, that's all. Please, stay here where we can help you recover. Then look at your options." Leaning forward, Babs looks Tim in the eyes "Take a break for now, recover and then let's see how you feel about everything." a pause "I think you're pretty special and you do amazing things, but if you're feeling like this, the break to recover fully will give perspective." She becomes slightly more intense "And there's always the living quarters at the Clocktower… I know I'd like the company and Nightwing says his place is still open to you too."

***

"I've been working so hard not to disappoint any of you. Not Bruce, Dick, you, Steph, Alfred, my dad, my mom, Ms. Tate, everyone at school, the Titans…" Tim squints. "I don't actually remember the last time I did something because I wanted to it." There's a pause. "I mean. I did some because I wanted — I hoped.. I /wanted/ things to work out with Steph. I really did." His eyes lid lightly. "But the moment I dared to want anything, that I started to venture beyond everyone else's expectations… evidently I can't want anything. Ever." His lips purse. It seems unrelated to his living situation, but to Tim it's not.

***

Babs looks at Tim "It's a sad fact of being an adult, we can't have everything we want, but we should have something for ourselves…. You're tired and injured… I'll keep saying it, rest…."

***

"I don't want rest," Tim insists quietly. "I want…" he sighs. "I want something real." He presses a palm to his forehead. "I want out of the expectations, the rules, the secrets. I want something real, something mine, without the lies, deceit and distrust. I'm not even trusted. Not really. My judgment is eternally isn question, even when it's solid. I pushed the boundaries because I had to. No one listens to me when I'm just being honest and truth." He sighs again. "I want people to genuinely care. And not just when I'm laid up in a hospital bed or getting my ass handed to me as another message to Batman." His eyes close tightly, producing lines along his eyelids. "I want to be valued for me. Not Robin. I want Tim to have the life. I want — "

***

The hurt that Babs feels at those words, reflects in her eyes but she pushes it down. This is Tim responding to his situation. Taking a deep long breath, Babs lets it out again "What do want Tim?"

***

Tim emits a soft sigh and forces his eyes open. "Is it wrong to want any of that?" He watches Babs carefully as he poses the question. "And we won't talk about it because we don't," he yawns. "You're the only one who doesn't scold me for being me." His eyebrows draw together. "Everyone else doesn't seem to appreciate it. And believe me, I know Dick cares, but he's got that temper. And on some level, I'm pretty sure Bruce cares, but… I'm coming to terms with my life and it's not what I thought it was. Not in any way."

***

"It's not wrong to want any of that, Tim… but why don't you lie down while we talk." Babs keeps her voice low and soothing "I don't scold" there's a small smile "because that's not me and you don't need it." Sighing a little "We all care in our own way though, it's different for each of us. Speaking of Dicks temper, if lie down I'll tell you about the ''date'' Dick took me out on…"

***

"I don't think I need it," he agrees. "I don't feel like I deserve to be reprimanded or yelled at for doing what I do. I'm trying to keep things together. I'm trying to do what I'm supposed to… it's hard." The teen relents and shuffles down from his sitting position to a lie down position, if only to get the gossip because Tim likes gossip. He sits up for a second, prompting a groan thanks to his broken ribs, to adjust his pillow and then he lies back down. "Tell me about your date." Because that's why he laid down.

***

"So don't keep things together while you're here. Alfred won't mind… and I can always be here when you need me." Babs says as she watches the teen lie down. Moving closer, she brushes his hair back from his forehead… a gesture of affection and then moves back. "Well, Dick asked me out and I agreed to go for coffee with him. We got to speaking about what's going on and I mentioned Batwing… which set him right off. His temper rather got the better of him… and I left." Babs shrugs…

***

"But here I'm Robin," Tim counters. "Robin doesn't fall apart. Robin can get shot, stabbed, kicked, punched, gassed, almost drowned, manipulated, and he can keep it together. He has to keep it together." The touch, however, seems to melt away some of Tim's defences, and his eyes lid again. The bit about Dick is with a faint shake of Tim's head. "Secrets sort do that to people. They go ballistic very quickly." He sucks on the inside of his cheek, and his lips part only to close again. "Very quickly."

***

Babs touches Tims forehead again, gently… "Well, once you're recovered enough, come stay with me… no judgement, I want you to be safe." listening to his reasoning, Babs nods "Maybe, but I didn't like being held to blame… it's not what I would call an ideal date…"

***

"You make things work," Tim murmurs quietly. "And you do a good job of it." There's a flicker of a smile. "I think that's why you're held to blame. It's not fair. But then I don't think everyone's distrust of me is either. I didn't earn that. You didn't earn this."

"I appreciate you. And stuff." He's getting sleepy. It's showing. "And maybe moving in would be good. Space or something." The touch relaxes him further and his eyes drift closed. "Babs?" he swallows hard. "Last month Keith kissed me." There's a pause. "I didn't hate it. I mean. It didn't mean anything — he was just trying to pull me out of a stupor of sorts… " Tim's fingers lift slightly off the bed. "I was with Steph. He's with Gar. But. I didn't hate it." His eyes squeeze tighter and his head shakes. "Never mind. Forget I said anything."

***

"Mmmmm, " Babs keeps her voice low "well that sort of thing, you can think about when you're healed. Kisses mean all sorts of things…" Keeping the touch on his forehead light Babs just talks "What would you like to hear about next, swimming with Dolphins or a bonfire on the beach with the Queen Atlantis… Don't worry, I'll tell you both… dolphins first…" Her voice is maintained at a murmur…

***

Tim mmms in turn. His eyes are so heavy that he doesn't request a story, just letting the redhead choose whatever she wants to tell. There's vulnerability in being taken care of; it's disarming. And just as the Boy Wonder begins to drift off to sleep he murmurs drowsily. "Don't leave…." evidently he wants her to stay. "…ever'one leaves." His breathing slows, and in short order he's drifted off to sleep.

***

And Babs doesn't leave, she'll stay by his side. Pulling her tablet from the arm of her chair, she checks into the Clocktower systems…

"Sorry to take so long Miss Gordon, here's your tea" Alfred says as he returns. "Oh good, he's sleeping. How long will you be staying?"

Babs looks up at Alfred with a smile "Thank you Alfred, the tea is welcome. I'll stay till he wakes up, he asked me not to leave, I think that's important right now."

"Very good, Miss Gordon, I'll organise some food for you. You're always a welcome guest here." And Alfred slips out quietly, so as not to disturb the sleeping teen.